A former chief executive of Caerphilly County Borough Council looks set to return to steady the ship of the stricken local authority.
Stuart Rosser retired at the end of 2010 after 14 years with the council – five of those as chief executive.
Cllr Harry Andrews, leader of Caerphilly County Borough Council, is recommending to colleagues that he return on an interim basis.
Cllr Harry Andrews will present a report to a Special Meeting of Council on Thursday July 11 recommending thatMr Rosser comes back for an initial period of 6 months.
He said: “Mr Rosser has extensive experience in key local authority roles, which means he is ideally placed to represent the council’s interests in relation to the imminent governance and financial challenges ahead. He would provide the stability that this organisation needs at this time.
“We have a first class workforce, but I feel it is vitally important to restore public confidence in our governance arrangements and an independent, external appointment would help strengthen this position.
“I want to send a clear message to residents that we remain firmly committed to delivering high quality services and we are working hard to ensure swift and decisive steps are taken to address the issues facing us at the moment.”
The council is required to put in place appropriate arrangements to cover the role of Head of Paid Service during the suspension of its chief executive Anthony O’Sullivan and acting chief executive Nigel Barnett.
Both men have been arrested and released on police bail as part of a police investigation into huge pay rises awarded to senior council bosses.
At the Special Meeting of Council, the leader will outline a number of options that have been carefully considered before recommending the preferred way forward.
The meeting takes place at Penallta House Council offices on Thursday July 11 at 5pm.